Resolution submitted in PA: ‘Panchayat, Jirga systems need to be abolished’

PML-N lawmaker says hundreds of women and girls have been sexually assaulted owing to their decisions

LAHORE: There is need to abolish panchayat and jirga systems which are a source of immoral decisions. Hundreds of women and girls have been sexually assaulted on the orders of the panchayat and jirga.

This was stated by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) woman legislator Hina Pervez Butt in a resolution submitted in Punjab Assembly on Thursday. The resolution was submitted against the increasing number of rape cases and immoral decisions by the members of panchayat and jirga.

She demanded the authorities concerned to abolish the system of panchayat and jirga which according to her were the source of illogical decisions. She stated in the resolution that majority of the victims included those women and girls who were leading married lives.

The PML-N lawmaker quoted a recent incident in Faisalabad where members of panchayat sexually assaulted a girl for marrying of her own will. She said that such incidents were ruining the image of Pakistan and raising question marks over the panchayat and jirga systems.

Hina Pervez maintained that the girl was awarded punishment for marrying a man of her own choice. She pointed out that the victim’s family requested the family of the groom to send their daughter back to their home as they wanted to send her off following the traditions. However, she said the three members of the panchayat abducted the girl and sexually abused her.

She demanded the house to give exemplary punishment to the accused who committed the heinous offence. She also demanded to impose a ban on the panchayat and jirga systems to avoid happening of such incidents in future.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, PML-N leader Hina Pervez Butt said, “It is regrettable that we are still living in dark ages where the members of a panchayat committed rape with a girl”. She added, “There is need to raise voice and take stern action against such decisions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2017.